Herpes + Cold Sores
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections are very common. Symptoms can be very mild or have no symptoms at all, so people don’t always realize they have herpes. For the majority though, outbreaks can be painful and compromise the skin for an extended period of time. Outbreaks are triggered by exposure to the sun, a fever, emotional stress, a weakened immune system, or an illness.
Oral Herpes (Cold Sores)
Cold sores, also called fever blisters, can be very painful and are often large and unsightly. Some people have outbreaks once or twice a year while others seem to have recurrent lesions every few weeks. The virus can lay dormant for extended periods of time, showing no symptoms.
Everyone is at risk for oral herpes from HSV-1. It is transmitted through kissing or sharing drinking glasses and utensils. HSV-1 can also cause genital herpes, although HSV-2 is the main cause of genital herpes.
HSV-1 infects all people equally across the board. It doesn’t discriminate between gender, race or age.
Genital Herpes
HSV-2 is the main cause of Genital herpes, which is growing at epidemic rates now. All sexually active people are at risk for genital herpes. HSV-2 is spread through unprotected sexual contact.
Women have a higher risk of being infected as 1 in 4 women have HSV-2, compared to 1 in 8 men. Having multiple sexual partners puts you at even greater risk.
There is a much higher incidence of HSV-2 infection among adolescents and people in their 20’s, compared to the general population. HSV-2 is also 3 times higher among HIV-infected adults compared to the general population.
Early Symptoms
“Prodromal Symptoms” such as pain, itching, or tingling, often precede the blisters by one to two days. You may have a sore throat, flu-like symptoms or swollen glands in your neck. After the prodromal stage, blisters appear. They usually break open, and leak clear infectious fluid, and then crust over lasting 2–24 days. It is extremely important to be gentle and take good care of the area as the sores can easily cause scarring.
When the sores are completely healed, the active phase of infection is over. The virus retreats into the nervous system and lays dormant. Asymptomatic shedding (shedding without symptoms) can still occur when no sores are present.
When to see your Doctor
It is important to have a medical diagnosis if this is your first outbreak to be certain that what you have is HSV and to have a clear treatment plan. Whether it is your first outbreak or you have already been diagnosed, see your doctor if:
- You have a weakened immune system
- The cold sores don’t heal within two weeks
- Symptoms are severe
- You have frequent recurrences of cold sores
- You experience irritation in your eyes
The good news is testing can be done to detect the presence of the herpes virus. Knowledge is power so if you have a concern that you may have herpes, please get tested. Even if there is no active lesion you can still be contagious.
Once a person has HSV, although it may remain dormant for long periods, it doesn’t go away and currently, there is no cure.
Ultimately, a holistic approach that includes advice from your doctor is the best solution for either type of Herpes. A strong immune system will help lessen the frequency of outbreaks as well as healthy lifestyle choices, wearing chemical free sun protection year round and practicing excellent hygiene.
A number of professionals recommend lysine as a daily supplement. Your doctor may prescribe one of a number of anti-viral agents for the type 1 (HSV-1) herpes infection that causes cold sores. Zovirax (acyclovir) and Denavir (penciclovir) are available in cream form. Your doctor could also prescribe oral anti-virals as Famvir (famciclovir), Valtrex (valacyclovir), and Zovirax (oral acyclovir).
NeoGenesis Products for Herpes Simplex Virus
A day or so before an outbreak, you may feel tingling, itching, burning, pain, or flu-like symptoms. When this occurs, apply NeoGenesis Recovery serum, abundant in stem cell released molecules to deliver nutrients to the affected area, up to 4 times daily. Incorporate the use of MB-1 to help mitigate the outbreak by rebalancing the microbiome of the skin.
Recovery serum will infuse the skin with the nutrients needed to protect the skin during an outbreak. Recovery may also reduce any pain and discomfort associated with the lesions.
Once the lesion is beginning to dissipate, continue the use of Recovery and MB-1, 2 to 4 times daily until the area is healed. If possible, gently cleanse the area with the NeoGenesis Cleanser then apply the Recovery serum. For any dryness or scabbing, use our Barrier Renewal Cream followed by MB-1 to keep the area hydrated.
Use a chemical-free sunscreen over the area as the sun is a major factor in contributing to the Herpes Simplex Virus.
Reviews:
“As an Esthetician, I had a client show up one day for an acne treatment and I saw he had just developed two massive cold sores on his bottom lip. I asked him to try Recovery on this lip twice a day. Within two days his cold sore was completely gone. I would not have believed it if I had not seen it. I hope to help you get the NeoGenesis products in the hands of every professional in my region!” ~ TL
Product: NeoGenesis Recovery
“I have suffered from genital herpes for many years and nothing I have tried has ever helped much. Most outbreaks took up to two weeks to heal and I felt quite a bit of pain for the first week. The NeoGenesis Skin Serum reduced my healing time to three days. Amazing! Thank you!!” ~ DC
Product: Skin Serum
“NeoGenesis! I want to update you – I am so excited about the anti-ageing benefits I have received from your products… softer skin, smaller pores, and my skin has a radiant glow now!
Equally important I want to let you know that recently I felt that I was about to get a cold sore and I took your advice and applied Recovery 4 times a day. No outbreak! Amazing! Thank you NeoGenesis!” ~ DC
Product: NeoGenesis Recovery
“I have a female client in her mid 50’s who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and frequently gets mouth ulcers or cold sores. She is also concerned about the usual signs of ageing (wrinkles/lines/loss of elasticity). I did a facial treatment on her last week and sent her home with RECOVERY. She came back this week for another treatment and she is amazed at how her skin felt tighter already. But she is also noticing her skin’s texture is smoother….and…..hasn’t had any sores around her mouth in the last week!! Amazing!!!! She is beyond pleased and is loving Recovery!” ~ MV
Product: NeoGenesis Recovery
“I have tried Recovery on two cold sore breakouts. By catching it at the tingling stage the first time, and applying Recovery 4 times a day, I avoided a full break out and my skin was back to “normal” within 5 days (as compared to 2+ weeks). The second time I did not catch it as early. Normally I would have a 18-21 day healing period. This time I was still back to “normal” within 8 days. I am so excited to be back in a “normal” flow so much sooner. I feel more confident.” ~ JA
Product: NeoGenesis Recovery
“I’m a 55 year old man who loves the outdoors and plays a lot of golf and goes fishing in Arizona. Due to the extreme heat and not protecting my lips, I had a large cold sore the developed on my lower lip. It blistered quickly and was very painful. The next morning I tried some Recovery on the blistered area, which was oozing and very swollen. I applied Recovery 4 times that day to the affected area and by the next morning, the swelling was down and the blister had crusted over. The pain was gone as well. I applied Recovery again, this time in the morning and evening and by day 3, the scabbing was gone and the area was barely pink. I continued to use Recovery twice daily for a full 7 days to be sure to continue healing in that area. A cold sore that large would have left a scar in the past and been painful and an eyesore for at least two weeks. In a week only very careful inspection could show that it was ever there. Next time, I’ll use the Recovery at the first sign of a tingle.” ~ DJ
Product: NeoGenesis Recovery